PLEASE HELP

[ashlee_brooks01]

I was in a 4 car smash... October 2010. I have a clean licence but only have 6 points avaliable as have only been driving just over a year.
I am a careful driver and never take risks. I was driving around 30mph in the fast lane as there was alot of traffic. I think a lorry pulled out a few cars ahead causing everyone to slam on their brakes. I also did this but failed to stop in time and hit the back of another vehicle. I was then hit from behind and pushed into the vehicle in front of me again. My car was the only write off and i was the only one injured. I had 10 weeks off work with severe whiplash and a sprained sacroilliac which is still giving me problems from time to time. I lost alot of money being off work and was unable to drive due to the pain i was in, so had to rely on family and friends for food shopping and various tasks.
I put in a claim for compensation as i had lost quite a bit during the time i was off. I also had a private medical examination by my solicitors proffesional doctor who confirmed i had sprained my sarcroiliac. The claim was going through well and the driver behind admitted liability. Then a few weeks ago i was issued with a summons for driving without due care and attention. It has been 6 months since the accident and now im due in court. Can anyone help me with this?

[MarkRae]

You're well on your way to an automatic suspension / ban, unless the rules have changed...

[McMouse]

You ran into the back of another vehicle. You were either too close, too fast for the conditions or both. <without due care and attention> sounds about right. Likely suspension.

[andy-hughes]

Sadly - if you rrear-end another vehicle, then you are deemed to be driving withouy due care.

The rules of the road demand that you drive in a manner that allows you to stop safely.

The simple fact is, if we all did drive like that, the country would grid-lock in about two minutes - because in order for traffic to flow, we all have to drive faster than we can stop within the distance we can see.

However, the law applies and you will be prosecuted, probably for Driving Without Due Care And Attention - you may get three points, rather than six.

You need to claim off the driver of the car who ran into you, who is similarly liable under the same rules.

Hope this helps.

[Electrochem]

I have never seen a ridiculous answer as the previous one.

To say that to leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front would cause gridlock in two minutes is absolute foolishness. A lot of research has been done in this matter, over many years, and it is a widely known fact that a lot of vehicles driving close together impedes traffic flow rather then helping it keep moving.

Anyone who drives as Andy-Hughes suggests should have their licence taken away.

[andy-hughes]

I'll be in that crack in the skirting board if anyone wants me ...

[boxtops]

I can't say anything about your summons, but if someone hits you in the rear, you claim off them - that is the way it works. The person in front then claims off you. We were in a fourt-car shunt a couple of years ago, and it's the bloke at the back who ends up with his insurance company dealing with everyone's claims. Your driving offence may or may not be contributory.

[boxtops]

This one's got more answers http://www.theanswerb.../Question1002855.html

[MIKEH63]

Im sorry, but in short, if you hit the car in front, then that was your fault for not paying attention, and/or driving too close to the car in front. So unfortunately for you, the law is within its right to prosecute you for driving without due care and attention. You need to learn from this, as it could have been a whole lot worse if you had badly injured or, god forbid, killed the occupants of the car in front. You should always drive in a safe manner, that you are always able to act and react to any situation that is happening in front of you under most driving conditions. The HEAVIER the traffic, the more distance you put between you and the vehicle in front. My expertise in this matter is that i have been a hgv-1 driver for nearly 25 years and have been driving for 31 years. I hope this helps to answer your question and to understand the situation that you have got yourself in. Good luck and take care on the roads, Mike.